10 Ways to Avoid the Arrogance of Power

Something naturally happens to people who stay in power too long. Its called arrogance.

This happens most often in churches (for various reasons). Few positions in government or industry hold as much power at times as ministry. And if you are prone to be a take charge person, you can quickly find yourself taking a bit too much joy in your position of power ... joy that many times will evolve, over time, into arrogance. A godly leader will look for ways to avoid this.

The "Great Leadership" blog recently featured a list of ten ways that you can avoid the arrogance of power ... and I thought that they would be good as a reminder to those of us in ministry:

1. Encourage and reward dissent.
2. Spend time with the people you serve.
3. Read and answer your own email.
4. Be visible and accessible.
5. Have regular “fireside chats” with randomly selected, vertical slices of the people you serve.
6. Do regular “deep dives” with as many departments as possible.
7. Don't spend too much time in the office.
8. Conduct regular surveys in a way that tells you what people are really thinking.
9. Work with a coach or mentor who’s willing to get in your face and tell it like it is.
10. Leverage technology and social networking, allowing feedback.

[from MMI Weblog by Todd Rhoades]

"Empowered" for the 21st Century

Pentecostal-charismatic scholars are meeting this week in Tulsa, Okla., to discus the movement's future as part of the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century.

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Obituary - Rev. G. Curtis Flippo

The Rev. G. Curtis Flippo, age 77, of Cordova, Alabama (Argo community) went home to be with the Lord on Sunday Februrary 15, 2009. He was formerly employed at Bessie Mines.

Brother Flippo was a minister in the Church of God of Prophecy; he was also a renowned pianist and recording artist. He was a member of the Cordova Church of God of Prophecy. He also served in the Prison Ministry since 1982.

Funeral services will be Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the New Horizon Memorial Chapel. Pastor Gary Smith and Rev. Bobby Patterson will officiate. Burial will follow in New Horizon Memorial Gardens.

Visitation was Tuesday night 6-8 pm at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Willie Lee Flippo, and his brother, Edward Flippo.

Survivors include his wife of 60 1/2 years, Patsy Flippo; his children, Michael Flippo and wife Mary Sue of Kissimmee, FL, Janis Smith and husband Pastor Gary of St. Cloud, FL, Steve Flippo of Sumiton and Dirk Flippo of Cordova; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Flippo; grandchildren, Clarke Flippo, Jeffrey, Stacey and Tyler Smith, Dirk Flippo, Jr. and Erica Belan; great grandchildren, Mia and Jude; sisters, Margaret Samons and husband Walter of Dora and Kathryn Ricker and husband Bill of Snowtown; brothers, Charles Flippo and wife Marilyn of Snowtown and Donald Flippo and wife Annette of Dora; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home in Dora, Alabama directing 648-2323.

Why do people insult other people?

I believe those who insult others do this to make themselves feel more superior. By putting someone else down, you falsely elevate your position (but only in your mind; to the outside world, you look even more inferior).

Insulting is a sign of immaturity, and immaturity is frowned upon in this society.

The act of insulting others is particularly common among people who are deeply insecure. If you're not feeling good about yourself, you try to bring other people down to your level.

Christ-like leadership never uses insults against God's precious people. "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6.

"But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse — and it's doomsday to you if you do." (Matthew 18:6-7 MSG)